Nuclear Chemistry: The Magnetic Resonance Imaging The evolution of medicine is quite interesting. It first started out with spirits, omens, and other mythical beliefs. Then, the discovery of science has allowed for more practical ways to examine and heal a body. First the simple tools came into play, then the advanced technology. As the years keep progressing, more and more discoveries are being made. One example of this is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nuclear chemistry has allowed for the invention of the MRI, which has been very beneficial for the human race.
Nuclear chemistry is the only method used to turn one element into another (i.e. a substance turned into gold). These reactions can cause change in the formation of an atom’s …show more content…
Most of these machines are big, tube-shaped magnets. MRIs are preferred because they are fast, non-destructive, and a noninvasive way to look at one’s organs, tissues, and skeletal system. However, they are most suited for the non-bony or soft-tissues parts of the body. They also produce high resolution images that can diagnose a variety of issues. The images are 3-D, so they can be looked at from different angles and perspectives. MRI machines are most frequently used to image the brain and spinal cord (fMRI). Some problems the MRI can detect are multiple sclerosis, disorders of the eye and inner ear, tumors, and the list goes on. The only thing that would disturb an MRI machine is the presence of metal, since this kind of machine uses a magnetic …show more content…
The nuclei of hydrogen atoms in water act like microscopic compass needles. When a body is exposed to the magnetic field of the MRI, the hydrogen atoms realign. Essentially, the protons in the nucleus are stimulated and they spin out of equilibrium. This causes them to strain against the pull of the magnetic field. Also, the content of energy of the nuclei changes when they are presented to pulses of radio waves. After all of this, a resonance wave is ejected when the nuclei return to their original condition. Then, small differences in the oscillations of the nuclei are recognized. Radio waves promote the aligned atoms to make faint signals, which create cross-sectional pictures. The 3-D images that the MRI machine displays reflects the chemical structure of the tissue, including the differences in the amount of water and the water molecules’ movements. In short, the variation in water content among the tissues and organs are reflected in very detailed images of this investigated area in the body. Moreover, the faster the protons realign, the brighter the image
Nuclear chemistry is the only method used to turn one element into another (i.e. a substance turned into gold). These reactions can cause change in the formation of an atom’s …show more content…
Most of these machines are big, tube-shaped magnets. MRIs are preferred because they are fast, non-destructive, and a noninvasive way to look at one’s organs, tissues, and skeletal system. However, they are most suited for the non-bony or soft-tissues parts of the body. They also produce high resolution images that can diagnose a variety of issues. The images are 3-D, so they can be looked at from different angles and perspectives. MRI machines are most frequently used to image the brain and spinal cord (fMRI). Some problems the MRI can detect are multiple sclerosis, disorders of the eye and inner ear, tumors, and the list goes on. The only thing that would disturb an MRI machine is the presence of metal, since this kind of machine uses a magnetic …show more content…
The nuclei of hydrogen atoms in water act like microscopic compass needles. When a body is exposed to the magnetic field of the MRI, the hydrogen atoms realign. Essentially, the protons in the nucleus are stimulated and they spin out of equilibrium. This causes them to strain against the pull of the magnetic field. Also, the content of energy of the nuclei changes when they are presented to pulses of radio waves. After all of this, a resonance wave is ejected when the nuclei return to their original condition. Then, small differences in the oscillations of the nuclei are recognized. Radio waves promote the aligned atoms to make faint signals, which create cross-sectional pictures. The 3-D images that the MRI machine displays reflects the chemical structure of the tissue, including the differences in the amount of water and the water molecules’ movements. In short, the variation in water content among the tissues and organs are reflected in very detailed images of this investigated area in the body. Moreover, the faster the protons realign, the brighter the image